Hi everyone,

I was wondering what language was spoken in Maltese primary and high schools?

Also, how easy is it to get your children into a good Maltese school?

Thanks,

Hi ErryBerry, The state schools are mainly Maltese and English spoken, with lessons given in both languages, In general English children cope very well as provisions are made for their transition in classes, the playground language would be mainly Maltese but it won't be long before they pick up words and join in as most Maltese children have a good understanding of the English language and converse accordingly. If your a E.U. citizen your children have the right to education here once you have taken up residency, hope this helps, good luck.

Hi I was wondering this to. My son is 7 and can't read or write fully yet. Is education free? Would he be accepted in a Maltese school. Thanks

Hi Erry Berry and Katy,

Education is free in Malta and teaches both English and Maltese.
It also states that 30% of the population will go to private schools.


Mike

Hi don't know if anybody can help but my husband and I along with our 3 girls..age 2 3 &11 are hoping to move to Malta this year..along as Dean(husband) can get work..we are wondering where three best places are to rent somewhere and whether any of you have kids/best schools?we will be flying out on our own for a few days next month then hoping to be over in a few months time? Would be so grateful for any advice as don't know much about the place.we have spoke about moving for years and have decided if we don't do it now we never will!!so e defiantly will be there this year x

Hi Fiona dean, I am going to assume you, hubby, and kids are British citizens with valid British passports. It's quite simple, as UK citizens you have freedom of movement in Malta due to the EU, so you would just need to file for eResidence which is free and is just your document of residence, and will be granted instantly as you have the privilege of freedom of movement. The link for that is here: http://mhas.gov.mt/en/MHAS-Informati...Residence.aspx

I recommend staying in Gozo, as it's smaller and offers more of that Mediterranean island lifestyle, slower paced and less hectic than Malta itself. Although it is more likely your hubby will find work on Malta than Gozo. On Malta i would recommend Melleiħa, it is pretty, near the sea, and plenty of flats for rent there...

The public schools are taught mainly in Maltese, but partly in English. There are British private schools that are English only though. But, it is good for the kids to grow up with Maltese kids, that way they will pick up the Maltese language very very fast...

Will you be bringing a car over?
If you have any other questions feel free to ask

Hi Fiona, The young ones could just go to a Maltese school as they are still very young. Maltese take education very seriously and the level is quite high. Your 11 year old however will find it near impossible to pick up Maltese ... other than stuff like Aw Bonġu, Kif int, Eva, Illalu or Uweja

Our kids went to Chiswick House School (opposite the Russian embassy)/St Martin's College (close to Mater Dei hospital) following the British system. There is also the Verdala International School in Pembroke, which from memory was following more the American system. They are good schools and everything (except Maltese of course) is taught in English. Not sure what your husband does but its a private school and with the extremely low wages in Malta (unless your husband doesn't have ethical issues working for iGaming/online gambling companies), the fees will take a huge chunk from your income.

As another poster mentioned, Gozo is very nice and also a lot cheaper but it will be a lot harder to find work there and commuting to Malta is probably not something I would do (but some people do it).

On the main island, the South of Malta is the cheaper area and Marsascala, Marsaxlokk and Birżebbuġa are quite nice. Sliema and St. Julians is where all the action is but with 3 kids I assume that's not what you are after, its also quite expensive. Very central I would say that Swieqi and Pembroke are nice but again, not cheap. In the North there's Bugibba, St.Pauls Bay and Mellieħa. From there it takes about 20 minutes to get to the center and it gets pretty busy in peak season as they are very touristy. When moving to Malta you probably want to be close to the sea so I didn't even mention places like Rabat, Mosta, Attard.

Anyhow, I hope that helps a bit.